Disclaimer: I own nothing. Stargate and its characters belong to MGM, Gekko Productions, and Sci-fi. I’m just borrowing.

Author's Note: This was written for Jade Starlight during the Stargate Santa.

“Sam? What are you doing out here? It’s freezing.” Major Samantha Carter looked up to see Dr. Janet Fraiser standing behind her. She had been so busy looking at the stars that she didn’t hear the sliding glass door open and close.

“Oh, hi.” Sam turned back around. “I was just trying to get my mind off the fact that Daniel’s late.”

Janet leaned on the railing, her glass of champagne in one hand. “What time did he say he’d be here?”

“Eleven, and it’s now fifteen minutes until midnight. The New Year will already be here before he gets here.” Sam took a sip of her own champagne. She knew Daniel Jackson was rather absentminded, but he had never been this late before, especially when it came to her. She was convinced that something was wrong.

“Why don’t you come on inside anyway. It’d be a lot warmer waiting for him in there.” Janet made a move towards the sliding glass door.

“Thanks, Janet. I’ll be inside in a minute.”

“All right, but not too long. You’ll get sick.” With that, Janet rejoined General Hammond’s party.

Sam had to smile. Her friend was first and foremost a doctor, and she was always looking out for the members of the SGC. She then thought about Daniel again, and the smile faded. Where was he?

~ ~ ~

Tapping nervously on the steering wheel, Daniel had to resist the urge to blow the horn. He was late, and he knew that Sam was never going to forgive him for this. He was supposed to be at General Hammond’s party forty-five minutes earlier, but the new Ga’ould artifact they had found three days earlier was so fascinating. He had spent so long studying it that he had completely lost track of time. Now he was stuck in a traffic jam.

Finally, the traffic began to move. It wasn’t very fast, but at least it was moving. He quickly glanced at his watch. Twelve minutes until midnight. He was cutting it close.

~ ~ ~

Sam walked back inside to the party, letting the heat warm her chilled bones. She weaved her way through the crowd and gathered up her coat. Setting her empty champagne glass down, she shrugged into her coat and pulled her car keys out of her pocket.

“Carter, where are you going? It’s almost midnight,” Colonel Jack O’Neill asked as he walked up behind her.

“I’m going to find Daniel, sir. He’s usually not this late.”

“Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know, but I have to see if I can find him.”

“All right. Happy New Year, anyway.”

“You, too, sir.” With that, Sam ambled out the front door and to her car.

No sooner had she reached it than Daniel’s car pulled up beside hers. Letting out a sigh of relief, she dropped her keys back into her pocket and made her way to his driver’s side door.

“I’m really sorry,” Daniel started to apologize as he climbed out.

“Where were you? I was about to come look for you.”

Daniel explained about the artifact and got a stony expression from Sam in return. He was expecting that.

Before Sam could say anything, they heard the sounds of the New Year’s countdown coming from inside the house. Letting her irritation melt away, Sam wrapped her arms around Daniel and kissed him.